1. The company's values do not resonate with you.

Company values are integral in maintaining a positive work ethic. A company’s mission and values lay an important foundation – if you, as an employee, do not feel as though you can relate to your employer’s values, then you may feel unmotivated and out of touch with the company.

LinkedIn’s workplace culture report revealed that 86% of millennials would consider taking a pay cut to work at a company whose mission aligns with their own values – so this really can be a big deal for employees!

Our professional and personal lives are entwining now more than ever, so it’s important to share the same values as your employer. If you don’t feel like that’s the case, it may be a sign to find a new job.

2. You feel like you can't be yourself.

If I told you that the average person will spend 92,120 hours of their lives working, you’d want to ensure you can be true to yourself whilst you do it. If you cannot be yourself in the workplace, then you may be wondering: what’s the point?

Pretending to be someone you’re not, or being inauthentic, can easily lead to burnout and unhappiness within the workplace. If you can relate to this, then this is one of the tell-tale signs that you should find a new job.

Alternatively, if you’re in a work environment that embraces your authenticity, expect to see a huge increase in employee engagement, trust, and long-lasting, beneficial relationships. 

3. You've noticed a decline in your mental health.

A recent study from Gallup revealed that employees who struggle with poor mental health are twice as likely to find a new job. If you’re finding it difficult to drag yourself out of bed every day, or worrying about Monday morning before it’s even arrived, it may be time to reconsider your role.

At the end of the day, no job is worth ruining your mental health for – be sure to stay in touch with your feelings and check in with yourself regularly. If your attitude and emotions regarding your work are more negative than positive, this may be a good reason to seek healthier career avenues.

4. You feel underappreciated.

This can manifest in many ways: the absence of new challenges and responsibilities, a lack of positive feedback from the higher-ups, a pay rise or promotion that you deserve but which never materialises.

Think about your unique contributions to the workplace and ask yourself whether you actually receive the recognition you deserve. Doing great work without acknowledgement can be incredibly demotivating, and this can drain your passion for the work you do.

It’s important to find a job where your efforts are recognised and your motivation stays high.

5. There are no opportunities for advancement

We all want to succeed in our professional lives, and it can be demoralising to find yourself stuck on the first rung of the career ladder. If you’ve been in the same job for a while now, you may be starting to feel that you’ve hit a dead end. This can have a sizeable impact on your self-confidence.

If you no longer feel challenged or feel as though you’re over-qualified for your role, it may be worth finding a new job that can offer more stimulating projects and greater employee recognition.